Five new faces in Penang exco line-up

GEORGE TOWN: Pinang tunggal assemblyman Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, who is also Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP) deputy president, is Penang’s new Deputy Chief Minister I.

He takes over from Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon who contested in Johor and won the Batu Pahat parliamentary seat in the 14th General Election.

Dr P. Ramasamy has been retained as Deputy Chief Minister II.

He holds the State Economic Planning, Education and Human Resources, Science, Technology and Innovation portfolio.

Sources said the new exco members are Tanjong Bunga assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari (Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation), Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain (Rural Development, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneur Development), Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin (Tourism, Culture, Heritage and Arts) and Bagan Jermal assemblyman Soon Lip Chee (Youth and Sports).

“Abdul Halim, who is former State Assembly Speaker, takes over the portfolios of Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, who is now MAIPP president.

“The exco members retained are Chong Eng (Women and Family Development, Gender Equality and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs) Jagdeep Singh Deo (Local Government, Housing, Town and City Planning), Phee Boon Poh (Welfare, Caring Society and Environment) and Dr Afif Bahardin (Health, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development).

“Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow will hold the Land Matters and Land Development, Transport and Information portfolio while Ahmad Zakiyuddin will have the Religious Affairs, Industrial Development and Community Affairs portfolio,” they added.

State exco members Lim Hock Seng, Danny Law and Abdul Malik were earlier dropped.

The swearing-in of the new state excos will take place at the Dewan Sri Pinang at 9.30am today.